Abstract: The emission of high-order harmonics in the extreme ultraviolet range from the interaction of a short, intense laser pulse with a grating target is investigated experimentally. When resonantly exciting a surface plasmon, both the intensity and the highest order observed for the harmonic emission along the grating surface increase with respect to a flat target. Harmonics are obtained when a suitable density gradient is preformed at the target surface, demonstrating the possibility to manipulate the grating profile on a nanometric scale without preventing the surface plasmon excitation. In support of this, the harmonic emission is spatiotemporally correlated to the acceleration of multi-MeV electron bunches along the grating surface. Particle-in-cell simulations reproduce the experimental results and give insight on the mechanism of high harmonic generation in the presence of surface plasmons.

Abstract: A method for ultrafast ellipticity modulation of femtosecond intense lasers is introduced and demonstrated. The method is based on the coherent superimposition of two linearly polarized visible/infrared (Vis-IR) laser beams with orthogonal polarizations. Tuning their delay by a quarter of the wavelength, i.e., a few hundred nanometers, achieves the same function as the rotation of a quarter-wave plate by 45°, switching the polarization from linear to circular. We demonstrate the portability of this method to high-intensity processes by upconverting a femtosecond Vis-IR laser beam to the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectral range through high-harmonic generation. These results open the way to lock-in detection of small absorption chiroptical signals in the EUV spectral range, including pump probe signals.

Abstract: We investigate the spatio-spectral properties of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) high harmonic radiation driven by high repetition rate femtosecond laser systems. In the spatio-spectral domain, ring-shaped structures at each harmonic order associated with long-trajectory electrons are found to form arrow-shaped structures at the cutoff. These structures are observed with two different laser systems: an optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier system at a central wavelength of 1.55 μm and 125 kHz repetition rate, and a temporally compressed femtosecond ytterbium fiber amplifier at 1.03 μm wavelength and 100 kHz repetition rate. As recently pointed out, the observed structures are well explained by considering the space–time atomic dipole-induced phase for short and long electron trajectories in the generation plane. The tighter focusing geometry and longer wavelength associated with these emerging driving laser systems increase the ring-like divergence and spectral broadening for high harmonics. Cutoff energies and photon fluxes obtained in argon and neon are also reported. Overall, these results shed new light on the properties of XUV radiation driven by these recently developed high average power laser systems, paving the way to high photon-flux XUV beamlines.

Abstract: The excitation of surface plasmons with ultra-intense(I~ 5 × 1019 W/cm2), high contrast (~1012) laser pulses on periodically modulated solid targets has been recently demonstrated to produce collimated bunches of energetic electrons along the target surface [Fedeli et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 015001 (2016)]. Here, we report an extensive experimental and numerical study aimed to a complete characterization of the acceleration mechanism, demonstrating its robustness and promising characteristics for an electron source. By comparing different grating structures, we identify the relevant parameters to optimize the acceleration and obtain bunches of ~650 pC of charge at several MeV of energy with blazed gratings.

Abstract: In the design of laser plasma electron injectors for multi-stage laser driven wakefield accelerators, the control of plasma density is a key element to stabilize the acceleration process. A cell with variable parameters is used to confine the gas and tailor the density profile. The gas filling process was characterized both experimentally and by fluid simulations. Results show a good agreement between experiments and simulations. Simulations were also used to study the effect of each of the gas cell parameters on the density distribution and show the possibility to finely control the density profile.

Abstract: We experimentally investigate the fast () isochoric heating of multi-layer metallic foils and subsequent high-pressure hydrodynamics induced by energetic electrons driven by high-intensity, high-contrast laser pulses. The early-time temperature profile inside the target is measured from the streaked optical pyrometry of the target rear side. This is further characterized from benchmarked simulations of the laser-target interaction and the fast electron transport. Despite a modest laser energy (), the early-time high pressures and associated gradients launch inwards a strong compression wave developing over ps into a blast wave, according to hydrodynamic simulations, consistent with our measurements. These experimental and numerical findings pave the way to a short-pulse-laser-based platform dedicated to high-energy-density physics studies.

Abstract: We present a compact 10 kHz Ti:Sa front end relying on an original double-crystal regenerative amplifier design. This new configuration optimizes the thermal heat load management, allowing the production of a 110 nm large spectrum and maintaining a good beam profile quality. The front end delivers up to 5 W after compression, 17 fs pulses with a 170 mrad shot-to-shot residual carrier-envelope phase noise.

Abstract: High-order-harmonic generation (HHG) is a tabletop and tunable source of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) light. Its flexibility was lately evidenced by the production of Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes in the XUV with a known azimuthal index. Here we investigate the role of the radial index of LG modes in HHG. We show both numerically and experimentally that the mode content of the emitted XUV radiation can be tuned by controlling the weight of the different quantum trajectories involved in the process. The appearance of high-order radial modes is finally linked to the atomic dipole phase of HHG. These results extend the capabilities of shaping the spatial mode of ultrashort XUV pulses of light.

BibTeX:

@ARTICLE{Genaux2017,
author = {Géneaux, Romain and Chappuis, Céline and Auguste, Thierry and Beaulieu, Samuel and Gorman, Timothy T. and Lepetit, Fabien and DiMauro, Louis F. and Ruchon, Thierry..},
title = {Tunable orbital angular momentum in high-harmonic generation},
journal = {Phys. Rev. A},
year = {2017},
volume = {95},
pages = {051801--},
month = apr,
abstract = {High-order-harmonic generation (HHG) is a tabletop and tunable source of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) light. Its flexibility was lately evidenced by the production of Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes in the XUV with a known azimuthal index. Here we investigate the role of the radial index of LG modes in HHG. We show both numerically and experimentally that the mode content of the emitted XUV radiation can be tuned by controlling the weight of the different quantum trajectories involved in the process. The appearance of high-order radial modes is finally linked to the atomic dipole phase of HHG. These results extend the capabilities of shaping the spatial mode of ultrashort XUV pulses of light.},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevA.95.051801},
owner = {jubera},
publisher = {The Author(s)},
timestamp = {2017.05.05},
url = {https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevA.95.051801}
}

Abstract: We investigate the photodynamics of the 2-methylallyl radical by femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron imaging. The experiments are accompanied by field-induced surface hopping dynamics calculations and the simulation of time-resolved photoelectron intensities and anisotropies, giving insight into the photochemistry and nonradiative relaxation of the radical. 2-methylallyl is excited at 236 nm, 238 nm, and 240.6 nm into a 3p Rydberg state, and the subsequent dynamics is probed by multiphoton ionization using photons of 800 nm. The photoelectron image exhibits a prominent band with considerable anisotropy, which is compatible with the result of theory. The simulations show that the initially excited 3p state is rapidly depopulated to a 3s Rydberg state, from which photoelectrons of high anisotropy are produced. The 3s state then decays within several 100 fs to the D1 (nπ) state, followed by the deactivation of the D1 to the electronic ground state on the ps time scale.

Abstract: The manipulation of ultraintense laser beams gets increasingly challenging with growing laser peak power, as the breakdown of conventional optics imposes ever larger beam diameters. Using compact plasma-based optical elements to control or even generate such beams is a promising approach, since plasmas can sustain considerable light intensities. We introduce a new type of plasma optics, called plasma holograms, by initiating plasma expansion on a flat solid target with a holographic prepulse beam focus. A modulated plasma surface then grows out of the target after ionization, which can be used for several picoseconds to diffract and spatially shape ultraintense laser beams. On the basis of this concept, we demonstrate the generation of fork plasma gratings, which we use to induce optical vortices on a femtosecond laser beam as well as its high-order harmonics, at intensities exceeding 1019Wcm-2. These plasma holograms open up a whole new range of possibilities for the manipulation of ultraintense lasers and the generation of structured coherent short-wavelength sources.

Abstract: Attosecond pulses propagating in different directions, generated in a rotating wavefront of a driving laser field, can provide a source of multiple isolated attosecond pulses. Clear spatial separation of the attosecond pulses is attained if the divergence of the individual attosecond pulse is smaller than their angular separation, which is limited by the bandwidth of the driving laser pulse. Here we demonstrate both experimentally and numerically that an additional wavefront rotation is imposed during the propagation of the driving laser pulse in a highly ionizing medium. This dynamic wavefront rotation enables the generation of the isolated attosecond pulse even in the case when the conditions derived from a linear diffraction theory do not permit the angular separation. The described nonlinear phenomenon has its roots in the half-cycle ionization events, and may open up new ways to study strong field processes in highly ionizing media.

Abstract: Chirped pulse amplification in optical lasers is a revolutionary technique, which allows the generation of extremely powerful femtosecond pulses in the infrared and visible spectral ranges. Such pulses are nowadays an indispensable tool for a myriad of applications, both in fundamental and applied research. In recent years, a strong need emerged for light sources producing ultra-short and intense laser-like X-ray pulses, to be used for experiments in a variety of disciplines, ranging from physics and chemistry to biology and material sciences. This demand was satisfied by the advent of short-wavelength free-electron lasers. However, for any given free-electron laser setup, a limit presently exists in the generation of ultra-short pulses carrying substantial energy. Here we present the experimental implementation of chirped pulse amplification on a seeded free-electron laser in the extreme-ultraviolet, paving the way to the generation of fully coherent sub-femtosecond gigawatt pulses in the water window (2.3-4.4 nm).

Abstract: Theorists have long pondered the underpinnings of the Fano resonance, a spectral feature that resembles adjacent rightside-up and upside-down peaks. An especially well-studied instance of this feature appears in the electronic spectrum of helium as a transient state undergoes delayed ionization. Two studies have now traced the dynamics of this state in real time. Gruson et al. used photoelectron spectroscopy to extract the amplitude and phase of the electron wave packet after inducing its interference with reference wave packets tuned into resonance at variable delays. Kaldun et al. used extreme ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy to probe the transient state while variably forcing ionization with a strong near-infrared field.Science, this issue pp. 734 and 738The dynamics of quantum systems are encoded in the amplitude and phase of wave packets. However, the rapidity of electron dynamics on the attosecond scale has precluded the complete characterization of electron wave packets in the time domain. Using spectrally resolved electron interferometry, we were able to measure the amplitude and phase of a photoelectron wave packet created through a Fano autoionizing resonance in helium. In our setup, replicas obtained by two-photon transitions interfere with reference wave packets that are formed through smooth continua, allowing the full temporal reconstruction, purely from experimental data, of the resonant wave packet released in the continuum. In turn, this resolves the buildup of the autoionizing resonance on an attosecond time scale. Our results, in excellent agreement with ab initio time-dependent calculations, raise prospects for detailed investigations of ultrafast photoemission dynamics governed by electron correlation, as well as coherent control over structured electron wave packets.

Abstract: Due to the intimate anisotropic interaction between an XUV light field and a molecule resulting in photoionization (PI), molecular frame photoelectron angular distributions (MFPADs) are most sensitive probes of both electronic/nuclear dynamics and the polarization state of the ionizing light field. Consequently, they encode the complex dipole matrix elements describing the dynamics of the PI transition, as well as the three normalized Stokes parameters s1, s2, s3 characterizing the complete polarization state of the light, operating as molecular polarimetry. The remarkable development of advanced light sources delivering attosecond XUV pulses opens the perspective to visualize the primary steps of photochemical dynamics in time-resolved studies, at the natural attosecond to few femtosecond time-scales of electron dynamics and fast nuclear motion. It is thus timely to investigate the feasibility of measurement of MFPADs when PI is induced e.g., by an attosecond pulse train (APT) corresponding to a comb of discrete high-order harmonics. In the work presented here, we report MFPAD studies based on coincident electron-ion 3D momentum imaging in the context of ultrafast molecular dynamics investigated at the PLFA facility (CEA-SLIC), with two perspectives: (i) using APTs generated in atoms/molecules as a source for MFPAD-resolved PI studies, and (ii) taking advantage of molecular polarimetry to perform a complete polarization analysis of the harmonic emission of molecules, a major challenge of high harmonic spectroscopy. Recent results illustrating both aspects are reported for APTs generated in unaligned SF6 molecules by an elliptically polarized infrared driving field. The observed fingerprints of the elliptically polarized harmonics include the first direct determination of the complete s1, s2, s3 Stokes vector, equivalent to (ψ, ε, P), the orientation and the signed ellipticity of the polarization ellipse, and the degree of polarization P. They are compared to so far incomplete results of XUV optical polarimetry. We finally discuss the comparison between the outcomes of photoionization and high harmonic spectroscopy for the description of molecular photodynamics.

Abstract: The influence of a plasma density gradient on ions accelerated along the specular (back reflection) direction in the transparent Target Normal Sheath Acceleration regime is investigated. Enhanced acceleration of ions is experimentally observed in this regime using high-intensity and ultra-high contrast laser pulses and extremely thin foils of few nanometer thicknesses. The experimental trend for the maximum proton energy appeared quite different from the already published numerical results in this regime where an infinitely steep plasma gradient was assumed. We showed that for a realistic modelling, a finite density gradient has to be taken into account. By means of particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we studied for the first time the influence of the plasma density scale length on ion acceleration from these nanofoil targets. Through a qualitative agreement between our numerical particle-in-cell simulations and our experiments, the main conclusion with regard to the experimental requirements is that, in the transparent regime evidenced with nanofoils as compared to the opaque regime, the plasma expansion has to be taken into account and both the pulse contrast and the damage threshold of the material are essential parameters.The influence of a plasma density gradient on ions accelerated along the specular (back reflection) direction in the transparent Target Normal Sheath Acceleration regime is investigated. Enhanced acceleration of ions is experimentally observed in this regime using high-intensity and ultra-high contrast laser pulses and extremely thin foils of few nanometer thicknesses. The experimental trend for the maximum proton energy appeared quite different from the already published numerical results in this regime where an infinitely steep plasma gradient was assumed. We showed that for a realistic modelling, a finite density gradient has to be taken into account. By means of particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we studied for the first time the influence of the plasma density scale length on ion acceleration from these nanofoil targets. Through a qualitative agreement between our numerical particle-in-cell simulations and our experiments, the main conclusion with regard to the experimental requirements is that, in the transparent regime evidenced with nanofoils as compared to the opaque regime, the plasma expansion has to be taken into account and both the pulse contrast and the damage threshold of the material are essential parameters.

Abstract: An electron injector for multi-stage laser wakefield experiments is presented. It consists of a variable length gas cell of small longitudinal dimension (View the MathML source <= 10mm). The gas filling process in this cell was characterized both experimentally and with fluid simulation. Electron acceleration experiments were performed at two different laser facilities. Results show low divergence and low pointing fluctuation electron bunches suitable for transport to a second stage, and a peaked energy distribution suitable for injection into the second stage wakefield accelerator.

Abstract: We present an extensive theoretical and numerical study of the attosecond lighthouse effect in gases. We study how this scheme impacts the spatiotemporal structure of the driving laser field all along the generation medium, and show that this can modify the phase matching relation governing high-harmonic generation (HHG) in gases. We then present a set of numerical simulations performed to test the robustness of the effect against variations of HHG parameters, and to identify possible solutions for relaxing the constraint on the driving laser pulse duration. We thus demonstrate that the lighthouse effect can actually be achieved with laser pulses consisting of up to ~8 optical periods available from current lasers without postcompression, for instance by using an appropriate combination of 800- and 1600-nm wavelength fields.

Abstract: The generation of energetic electron bunches by the interaction of a short, ultraintense (I>1019 W/cm2) laser pulse with “grating” targets has been investigated in a regime of ultrahigh pulse-to-prepulse contrast (1012). For incidence angles close to the resonant condition for surface plasmon excitation, a strong electron emission was observed within a narrow cone along the target surface, with energy spectra peaking at 5-8 MeV and total charge of ~ 100 pC . Both the energy and the number of emitted electrons were strongly enhanced with respect to simple flat targets. The experimental data are closely reproduced by three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, which provide evidence for the generation of relativistic surface plasmons and for their role in driving the acceleration process. Besides the possible applications of the scheme as a compact, ultrashort source of MeV electrons, these results are a step forward in the development of high-field plasmonics.

Abstract: A new device made of very specific microstructured fluorescent plastic optical fibers, capable of concentrating solar radiation towards photovoltaic solar cells is studied in the QUYOS project. This device transforms a multidirectionnal and polychromatic flux of solar light to a monochromatic and monodirectionnal intense flux of light with a high conversion efficiency. The very specific behaviour of these fibers is due to the convergence of several quantum phenomena. Mainly the coincidence of the fluorescent band of the dye with the forbidden band of the photonic crystal from the microstructured fiber restricts the phase space of desexcitation only along the axis of the fiber. Moreover, a coupling of the fluorescence with the allowed modes of the central waveguide of the fiber does enhance the radiative desexcitation thanks to the Purcell effect.

Abstract: We present a setup for complete characterization of femtosecond pulses generated by seeded free-electron lasers (FELs) in the extreme-ultraviolet spectral region. Two delayed and spectrally shifted replicas are produced and used for spectral phase interferometry for direct electric field reconstruction (SPIDER). We show that it can be achieved by a simple arrangement of the seed laser. Temporal shape and phase obtained in FEL simulations are well retrieved by SPIDER reconstructions, allowing to foresee the implementation of this diagnostics tool on existing and future sources. This will be a significant step towards an experimental investigation and control of FEL spectral phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-power femtosecond pulsed laser, the laser including: a source able to generate a train of input laser pulses having an envelope frequency and a carrier frequency; a chirped pulse amplification unit; and, a unit for controlling the phase drift between the envelope frequency and the carrier frequency of the output laser pulses. According to the invention, the unit for controlling the phase drift between the envelope frequency and the carrier frequency includes electro-optical phase-modulation unit that are placed on an optical path of the chirped pulse amplification unit in order to stabilize the phase drift between the envelope frequency and the carrier frequency of the output laser pulses as a function of time.

Abstract: We describe the versatile features of the attosecond beamline recently installed at CEA-Saclay on the PLFA kHz laser. It combines a fine and very complete set of diagnostics enabling high harmonic spectroscopy (HHS) through the advanced characterization of the amplitude, phase, and polarization of the harmonic emission. It also allows a variety of photo-ionization experiments using magnetic bottle and COLTRIMS (COLd Target Recoil Ion Momentum Microscopy) electron spectrometers that may be used simultaneously, thanks to a two-foci configuration. Using both passive and active stabilization, special care was paid to the long term stability of the system to allow, using both experimental approaches, time resolved studies with attosecond precision, typically over several hours of acquisition times. As an illustration, applications to multi-orbital HHS and electron-ion coincidence time resolved spectroscopy are presented.

Abstract: We present a study on the improvement of the spatial quality of a laser beam, called modal filtering, suitable to high-energy lasers. The method is theoretically compared with the classical pinhole filtering technique in the case of an astigmatic Gaussian beam, illustrating, in this particular case, its efficiency for filtering low spatial frequencies. Experimental study of the modal filtering of a temporally chirped beam from a Ti:Sapphire chirped-pulse-amplification system is presented. Beam profile, wavefront and pulse duration after compression were measured, showing a dramatic improvement of beam quality and no modifications of the temporal distribution. High-order harmonic generation in a rare gas, a highly nonlinear process which is phase-matching dependent, was used to test the effect of the filter and showed a clear enhancement of the generation.

Abstract: We report on high-order harmonic (HHG) two-source interferometry (TSI) in molecular gases. We used a 0-p phase plate to create two bright spots at the focus of a lens by converting a Gaussian laser beam into a TEM please define 01 Transverse Electromagnetic Mode. The two bright foci produce two synchronized HHG sources. One of them is used to probe on-going dynamics in the generating medium, while the other serves to heterodyne the signal. The interference of the emissions in the far-field gives access to the phase difference between the two sources. In self-probing HHG phase spectroscopy, one of the two sources is used as a reference while the other one probes some on goin dynamics in the generating medium. We first compute overlap integrals to investigate the mode conversion efficiency. We then establish a clear relation between the laser phase-front curvature and the far-field overlap of the two HHG beams. Both Fresnel diffraction calculations and an experimental lens position scan are used to reveal variations of the phase front inclination in each source. We show that this arrangement offers λX U V / 100 precision, enabling extremely sensitive phase measurements. Finally, we use this compact setup for TSI and measure phase variations across the molecular alignment revival of nitrogen and in vibrating sulfur hexafluoride. In both gases, the phase variations change sign around the ionization threshold of the investigated molecule

Abstract: In case of laser-rare gas cluster interaction, precise evolution of the intensity threshold in the keV X-ray production with pulse duration has been determined at 400 and 800 nm. These measurements demonstrate that doubling the laser frequency does not increase the efficiency of the X-ray yield per cluster.

Abstract: We report on 400 nm broadband type I frequency doubling in a noncollinear geometry with pulse-front-tilted and chirped femtosecond pulses (λ0 = 800 nm ; Fourier transform limited pulse duration, 45 fs). With moderate power densities (2 to 10 GW/cm2) thus avoiding higher-order nonlinear phenomena, the energy conversion efficiency was up to 65%. Second-harmonic pulses of Fourier transform limited pulse duration shorter than the fundamental wave were generated, exhibiting good beam quality and no pulse-front tilt. High energy (20 mJ/pulse) was produced in a 40 mm diameter and 6 mm thick LBO crystal. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of this optical configuration with sub-100-fs pulses. Good agreement between experimental results and simulations is obtained.

Abstract: In this paper, we address the propagation of a near resonant laser inside an atomic vapor in the case when, due to the Kerr effect, the laser beam would either self-focus or self-defocus. We show, both theoretically and experimentally, how to get rid of such an alteration in the transverse beam profile without changing any of the characteristics of the laser light under consideration (wavelength, intensity, etc.), nor of the atomic vapor. Moreover, our proposed method offers a lot of control on the beam profile, whose transverse size after propagation may be chosen at will by making use of a second, copropagating laser, whose required wavelength and intensity may be derived analytically.

Abstract: We report on high-order harmonic generation (HHG) using a Ti:sapphire laser beam phase shaped with a binary diffractive optical element (DOE) to create two spatially separated synchronized HHG sources at the focus of a lens. Using full three-dimensional computations, we show numerically that the harmonic dipole phase is imprinted in the resulting far-field fringe pattern. Using the corresponding experimental arrangement, we measure HHG phase in aligned carbon dioxide. This arrangement is robust, extremely stable, simple to use, and gives highly resolved fringes. It thus opens new perspectives for combined and refined HHG phase measurements in excited samples.

Abstract: We have analyzed the angular distributions of the photoelectrons emitted upon photoionization of rare gases by a comb of harmonics in the extreme ultraviolet range, in the presence of a "dressing" infrared (IR) field with controlled delay τ, stabilized down to about ±60 as. The measurements have been performed with the help of the coincidence momentum imaging technique. We evidence marked differences in the measured angular distributions of the photoelectrons, depending on the number of IR photons exchanged. Joined to a theoretical interpretation, these observations bring new insights into the dynamics of this class of two-color photoionization processes that are a key step towards studying photoionization in the time domain, with attosecond time resolution.

Abstract: We present and demonstrate a technique called RED-SEA TADPOLE for the spatio-temporal characterization of high peak power femtosecond lasers. It retains the basic principle of an existing method, where a scanning monomode fiber is utilized in an interferometric scheme to measure the spectral amplitude and phase at all points across an ultrashort laser beam. We combine this approach with dual spectral-band interferometry, to correct for all phase errors occurring in this interferometer, thus allowing for the simultaneous measurement of the beam wavefront and pulse front in a collimated beam of large diameter. The generic phase correction procedure implemented here can also be extended to other fiber optic device applications sensitive to phase fluctuations.

Abstract: A general approach for optically controlled spatial structuring of overdense plasmas generated at the surface of initially plain solid targets is presented. We demonstrate it experimentally by creating sinusoidal plasma gratings of adjustable spatial periodicity and depth, and study the interaction of these transient structures with an ultraintense laser pulse to establish their usability at relativistically high intensities. We then show how these gratings can be used as a "spatial ruler" to determine the source size of the high-order harmonic beams produced at the surface of an overdense plasma. These results open new directions both for the metrology of laser-plasma interactions and the emerging field of ultrahigh intensity plasmonics.

Abstract: This paper provides an overview of ultrafast wavefront rotation of femtosecond laser pulses and its various applications in highly nonlinear optics, focusing on processes that lead to the generation of high-order harmonics and attosecond pulses. In this context, wavefront rotation can be exploited in different ways, to obtain new light sources for time-resolved studies, called 'attosecond lighthouses', to perform time-resolved measurements of nonlinear optical processes, using 'photonic streaking', or to track changes in the carrier-envelope relative phase of femtosecond laser pulses. The basic principles are explained qualitatively from different points of view, the experimental evidence obtained so far is summarized, and the perspectives opened by these effects are discussed.

Abstract: We address the on target focal spot spatio-temporal features of an ultrashort, 100 TW class laser chain by using spectrally resolved imaging diagnostics. The observed spatio-spectral images, which we call rotating imaging spectrographs, are obtained single shot to reveal the essential information about the spatio-temporal couplings. We observe nontrivial effects in the focal plane due to compressor defects which significantly affect the maximum on target intensity. This diagnostic might become an essential tool for improving compressor alignment in many upcoming multi-petawatt short pulse laser facilities.

Abstract: We conceived a unique fully parametric source based on two independent cylindrical OPOs simultaneously pumped by the same Nd:YAG laser. Each OPO delivers more than 2 mJ and is continuously tunable between 1.41 µm and 4.3 µm. This source is of particular interest for the study of the generation of infrared parametric light in nonlinear crystals. It was validated by performing difference frequency generation experiments in CdSe crystals with output in the range 8 - 10 µm.

Abstract: In this work we demonstrate the development of a complete analog feedback loop for the control of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of a high-average power (20 W) laser operating at 10 kHz repetition rate. The proposed method combines a detection scheme working on a single-shot basis at the full-repetition-rate of the laser system with a fast actuator based either on an acousto-optic or on an electro-optic crystal. The feedback loop is used to correct the CEP fluctuations introduced by the amplification process demonstrating a CEP residual noise of 320 mrad measured on a single-shot basis. The comparison with a feedback loop operating at a lower sampling rate indicates an improvement up to 45% in the residual noise. The measurement of the CEP drift for different integration times clearly evidences the importance of the single-shot characterization of the residual CEP drift. The demonstrated scheme could be efficiently applied for systems approaching the 100 kHz repetition rate regime.

Abstract: The interaction of laser pulses with thin grating targets, having a periodic groove at the irradiated surface, has been experimentally investigated. Ultrahigh contrast (~ 1012) pulses allowed to demonstrate an enhanced laser-target coupling for the first time in the relativistic regime of ultra-high intensity > 1019 W/cm2. A maximum increase by a factor of 2.5 of the cut-off energy of protons produced by Target Normal Sheath Acceleration has been observed with respect to plane targets, around the incidence angle expected for resonant excitation of surface waves. A significant enhancement is also observed for small angles of incidence, out of resonance.

Abstract: We experimentally demonstrated optical parametric amplification with five pumps coming from two different oscillators. By spreading those partially mutually incoherent pumps at 532&xA0;nm over different phase-matching directions around a signal at 725&xA0;nm, we obtained a pumps-to-signal efficiency of 27

Abstract: High harmonic radiation, produced when intense laser pulses interact with matter, is composed of a train of attosecond pulses. Individual pulses in this train carry information on ultrafast dynamics that vary from one half-optical-cycle to the next. Here, we demonstrate an all-optical photonic streaking measurement that provides direct experimental access to each attosecond pulse by mapping emission time onto propagation angle. This is achieved by inducing an ultrafast rotation of the instantaneous laser wavefront at the focus. We thus time-resolve attosecond pulse train generation, and hence the dynamics in the nonlinear medium itself. We apply photonic streaking to harmonic generation in gases and directly observe, for the first time, the influence of non-adiabatic electron dynamics and plasma formation on the generated attosecond pulse train. These experimental and numerical results also provide the first evidence of the generation of attosecond lighthouses in gases, which constitute ideal sources for attosecond pump-probe spectroscopy.

Abstract: We report experimental and numerical results on the post-compression of 40 fs duration pulses down to 10 fs at high energy level (multi-mJ). The spectral broadening is achieved through the self-phase modulation resulting from optical-field-ionization of different noble gases (He, Ne, Ar) by the 40-fs laser pulse propagating in a low-pressure gas-filled hollow capillary. We discuss the influence of the multi-ionization dynamics, through the gas dependence, on the laser energy carried by the capillary, as well as on the duration and temporal shape of the post-compressed pulses. In all the different experimental conditions investigated in this article (pressures and gases used), the experimental data is in good agreement with the numerical results from a three-dimension propagation code. Through this study, we demonstrate the robustness of the proposed post-compression technique with regard to multi-ionization, indicating that it can be used on a large intensity range by judiciously choosing the gas.

Abstract: This paper is devoted to analyzing the principle and applications of the linear electro-optic (EO) effect for the control of the carrier-envelope-phase (CEP). We introduce and detail here an original method, which relies on the use of an EO dispersive prism pair in a compressor-like configuration. We show that, by choosing an adequate geometry, it is possible to shift the CEP without changing the group delay (isochronous carrier-envelope-phase shifter) or change the induced group delay without varying the CEP. According to our calculations, when applying an electric field around 400 V/cm to the rubidium titanyle phosphate (RTP) prisms in a double pass configuration (2 * 40 mm total length), one obtains a CEP shift of p rad at 800 nm without inducing a group delay. In contrast, this CEP shift is obtained for an electric field around 1.4 kV/cm in a RTP rectangular slab of the same total length and, in this case, the group delay is of the order of a few fs.

Abstract: Resonant enhancement of high harmonic generation can be obtained in plasmas containing ions with strong radiative transitions resonant with harmonic orders. The mechanism for this enhancement is still debated. We perform the first temporal characterization of the attosecond emission from a tin plasma under near-resonant conditions for two different resonance detunings. We show that the resonance considerably changes the relative phase of neighboring harmonics. For very small detunings, their phase locking may even be lost, evidencing strong phase distortions in the emission process and a modified attosecond structure. These features are well reproduced by our simulations, allowing their interpretation in terms of the phase of the recombination dipole moment.

Abstract: Gold nanoparticles supported on soda-lime glass exhibit a photochemical water splitting activity under infrared femtosecond laser excitation. Both H2 and hydroxyl radicals productions were characterized. The hydroxyl radicals production mechanism was identified by comparison with three prototypal mechanisms, photoionization of organic compound in the UV, VUV dissociation of water and water gamma radiolysis. The mechanisms involved in the case of laser femtosecond seem to be water ionization events occurring at distance from the gold particles.

Abstract: We demonstrate the possibility of running a single-pass free electron laser (FEL) in a dynamical regime, which can be exploited to perform two-color pump-probe experiments in the vacuum ultraviolet or x-ray domain, using the free-electron laser emission both as a pump and as a probe. The studied regime is induced by triggering the free-electron laser process with a powerful laser pulse, carrying a significant and adjustable frequency chirp. As a result, the output FEL radiation is split in two pulses, separated in time (as previously observed by different authors), and having different central wavelengths. We show that both the spectral and temporal distances between FEL pulses can be independently controlled. We also provide a theoretical description of this phenomenon, which is found in good agreement with experiments performed on the FERMI@Elettra free-electron laser. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.064801

Abstract: We report a detailed numerical study on the postcompression of high-energy (environ 30?mJ ) femtosecond laser pulses (environ 40?fs ), using the spectral broadening induced by optical-field ionization of a low-pressure helium gas in a capillary. Our numerical results are in very good agreement with previously published experimental data on spectral shapes, transmitted energies and recompressed pulse durations in the full range of laser energies and gas pressures investigated. Then, we calculate the performances of the method with shorter input pulses (~20?fs ) and demonstrate that few optical cycles recompressed pulses with 5 to 8.5 mJ energy could then be achieved.

Abstract: We report the first results of molecular frame photoelectron emission for dissociative photoionization (DPI) of H2 and D2 molecules induced by a spectrally filtered single high harmonic of a few femtosecond duration, using coincident electron-ion velocity vector correlation techniques. For the studied photon energies around 32 eV, where the resonant excitation of the Q1 and Q2 doubly excited states occurs, autoionization and nuclear dynamics are coupled on a few femtosecond timescale, giving rise to quantum interferences. Molecular frame photoelectron angular distributions (MFPADs), traced as a function of the kinetic energy release of the atomic fragments, provide the most sensitive observables for such complex dynamics. These results compare well with recent spectrally resolved experiments using synchrotron radiation which are also reported. As a novel XUV light source running at multi-kHz repetition rate and synchronized with laser pulses, high-order harmonic generation (HHG) opens new possibilities for extending these investigations to time-resolved studies at the femtosecond scale.

Abstract: To obtain complete spatio-temporal characterizations of high-power femtosecond lasers, we apply SEA TAPDOLE to collimated beams. We show how to accurately correct phase fluctuations in the fiber interferometer, which is essential in this measurement configuration.

Abstract: Rubidium titanyl phosphate (RTP) is widely used for electro-optical applications at low switching voltages. RTP is nonhygroscopic and does not induce piezoelectric ringing up to the megahertz range. It has large electro-optic (EO) coefficients and a high damage threshold. We present here the EO coefficient wavelength dispersion measurements in the [550,950]&#x2009;&#x2009;nm spectral range using a method based on spectral interferometry. These data are necessary for, among other things, a quantitative modelization of an EO carrier-envelope phase shifter.

Abstract: We investigate and analyze in detail an approach to measure Carrier Envelope Phase shifts by using spectral interferometry. The method which uses a broadband laser source is applied to the characterization of an Electro Optic Carrier Envelope Phase shifter and leads to quick and accurate measurements on a large frequency domain. The shifter is inserted in one arm of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer illuminated by a wide frequency spectrum coherent source. By carefully analyzing the observed fringes, we successfully derived, with a very good accuracy, the main useful parameters of the CEP shifter on the whole investigated wavelength spectrum. The laser source which delivers pulses with a Gaussian spatial distribution and a nearly flat spatial phase does not need to be CEP stabilized and no control of the spectral phase of the pulses is necessary. This has specific advantages compared to other methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-power femtosecond pulsed laser, said laser comprising: a source able to generate a series of input laser pulses having an envelope frequency and a carrier frequency; chirped pulse amplification means; and, means for controlling the phase drift between the envelope frequency and the carrier frequency of the output laser pulses. According to the invention, said means for controlling the phase drift between the envelope frequency and the carrier frequency comprise electro-optical phase-modulation means that are placed on an optical path of the chirped pulse amplification means in order to stabilise the phase drift between the envelope frequency and the carrier frequency of the output laser pulses as a function of time.

Abstract: We characterize the temporal profile of the high-order harmonic emission from ablation plasma plumes using cross-correlations with the infrared (IR) laser beam provided by two-photon harmonic+IR ionization of rare gas atoms. We study both non-resonant plasmas (lead, gold and chrome) and resonant plasmas (indium and tin), i.e. plasmas presenting in the singly charged ions a strong radiative transition coinciding with a harmonic order. The cross-correlation traces are found to be very similar for all harmonic orders and all plasma targets. The recovered harmonic pulse durations are very similar to the driving laser, with a tendency towards being shorter, demonstrating that the emission is a directly laser-driven process even in the case of resonant harmonics. This provides a valuable input for theories describing resonant-harmonic emission and opens the perspective of a very high flux tabletop XUV source for applications.

Abstract: We demonstrate experimentally the full tunability of a coherent femtosecond source in the whole ultraviolet spectral region. The experiment relies on the technique of high-order harmonic generation driven by a near-infrared parametric laser source in krypton gas. By tuning the drive wavelength in the range between 1100 to 1900 nm, we generated intense harmonics from near to extreme ultraviolet. A number of photons per shot of the order of 107 has been measured for the first harmonic orders. Many novel scientific prospects are expected to benefit from the use of such a table-top tunable source.

Abstract: The present work, performed in the frame of the EXULITE project, was dedicated to the design and characterization of a laser-plasma-produced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source prototype at 13.5 nm for the next generation lithography. It was conducted in cooperation with two laboratories from CEA, ALCATEL and THALES. One of our approach originalities was the laser scheme modularity. Six Nd:YAG laser beams were focused at the same time on a xenon filament jet to generate the EUV emitting plasma. Multiplexing has important industrial advantages and led to interesting source performances in terms of in-band power, stability and angular emission properties with the filament jet target. A maximum conversion efficiency (CE) value of 0.44% in 2$ sr and 2% band-width was measured, which corresponds to a maximum in band EUV mean power of 7.7 W at a repetition rate of 6 kHz. The EUV emission was found to be stable and isotropic in these conditions.

Abstract: Free-electron lasers (FELs) are promising devices for generating light with laser-like properties in the extreme ultraviolet and X-ray spectral regions. Recently, FELs based on the self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) mechanism have allowed major breakthroughs in diffraction and spectroscopy applications, despite the relatively large shot-to-shot intensity and photon-energy fluctuations and the limited longitudinal coherence inherent in the SASE mechanism. Here, we report results on the initial performance of the FERMI seeded FEL, based on the high-gain harmonic generation configuration, in which an external laser is used to initiate the emission process. Emission from the FERMI FEL-1 source occurs in the form of pulses carrying energy of several tens of microjoules per pulse and tunable throughout the 65 to 20 nm wavelength range, with unprecedented shot-to-shot wavelength stability, low-intensity fluctuations, close to transform-limited bandwidth, transverse and longitudinal coherence and full control of polarization.

Abstract: FERMI@Elettra is a free electron-laser (FEL)-based user facility that, after two years of commissioning, started preliminary users' dedicated runs in 2011. At variance with other FEL user facilities, FERMI@Elettra has been designed to deliver improved spectral stability and longitudinal coherence. The adopted scheme, which uses an external laser to initiate the FEL process, has been demonstrated to be capable of generating FEL pulses close to the Fourier transform limit. We report on the first instance of FEL wavelength tuning, both in a narrow and in a large spectral range (fine-and coarse-tuning). We also report on two different experiments that have been performed exploiting such FEL tuning. We used fine-tuning to scan across the 1s-4p resonance in He atoms, at approximate to 23.74 eV (52.2 nm), detecting both UV-visible fluorescence (4p-2s, 400 nm) and EUV fluorescence (4p-1s, 52.2 nm). We used coarse-tuning to scan the M-4,M-5 absorption edge of Ge (similar to 29.5 eV) in the wavelength region 30-60 nm, measured in transmission geometry with a thermopile positioned on the rear side of a Ge thin foil.

Abstract: The objective of the "Institut de Lumiere Extreme" consists in providing early in 2014 to the international scientific community an unique laser based facility delivering 150 J, 15 fs pulses at 1 shot per minute repetition rate allowing to investigate an unexplored domain of laser-matter interaction at 10(23) - 10(24)W/cm(2) intensity level.

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Abstract: A general study of phase-matching loci and associated angular acceptances is performed in the case of non-collinear parametric amplification. Numerical and analytical calculations, as well as measurements, are described for the uniaxial BBO crystal and the biaxial LBO crystal. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America

Abstract: From multi-beam pumped OPA experiments, we demonstrated the need for single-mode pumps to preserve a good spectral contrast and that these pumps can be mutually incoherent without decreasing the amplified signal spectral quality.

Abstract: We present the first measurement of the attosecond emission generated from underdense plasma produced on a solid target. We generate high-order harmonics of a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser focused in a weakly ionized underdense chromium plasma. Using the ``Reconstruction of Attosecond Beating by Interference of Two-photon Transitions'' (RABITT) technique, we show that the 11th to the 19th harmonic orders form in the time domain an attosecond pulse train with each pulse having 300 as duration, which is only 1.05 times the theoretical Fourier transform limit. Measurements reveal a very low positive group delay dispersion of 4200 as2. Beside its fundamental interest, high-order harmonic generation in plasma plumes could thus provide an intense source of attosecond pulses for applications.

Abstract: We report on the advanced amplitude and phase control of attosecond radiation allowed by specifically-designed multilayer XUV mirrors. We first demonstrate that such mirrors can compensate for the intrinsic chirp of the attosecond emission over a large bandwidth of more than 20 eV. We then show that their combination with metallic foils introduces a third-order dispersion that is adjustable through the mirror's incidence angle. This results in a controllable beating allowing the radiationto be shaped from a single to a series of sub-100 as pulses.

Abstract: We present experimental and numerical results on high-order-harmonic generation with a flat-top laser beam. We show that a simple binary tunable phase plate, made of two concentric glass plates, can produce a flat-top profile at the focus of a Gaussian infrared beam. Both experiments and numerical calculations show that there is a scaling law between the harmonic generation efficiency and the increase of the generation volume.

Abstract: We present a new method to control the Carrier-Envelope Phase of ultra-short laser pulses by using the linear Electro-Optic Effect. Experimental demonstration is carried out on a Chirped Pulse Amplification based laser. Phase shifts greater than $ radian can be obtained by applying moderate voltage on a LiNbO3 crystal with practically no changes to all other parameters of the pulse with the exception of its group delay. Time response of the Electro-Optic effect makes possible shaping at a high repetition rate or stabilization of the CEP of ultra short CPA laser systems.

Abstract: We present a new method to control the Carrier-Envelope Phase of ultrashort laser pulses by using the linear Electro-Optic Effect. Experimental demonstration shows that phase shifts of several radians can be obtained on LiNbO3.

Abstract: We characterized 11.7 fs nearly perfect Fourier Transform pulses with self-referenced spectral interferometry (SRSI), a new recently demonstrated technique. These pulses were first precisely optimized with three feedback loops between the SRSI setup and an AOPDF. An inherent control criterion to confirm that the measurement quality is theoretically derived and experimentally demonstrated. Each experimental result was cross-checked with SPIDER.

Abstract: Over the last several years, a lot of work has been completed to develop Carrier Envelope Phase (CEP) stabilization of chirped pulse amplification (CPA) laser systems. There is now a large variety of systems. Those using prisms or transmission gratings based stretchers-compressors are limited to pulse energy lower than 5 mJ. Those using reflection grating with multi-stages amplifier (pulse energy higher than 10 mJ) are scalable to higher energies but more difficult to stabilize.

Abstract: Using an original CEP stabilization technique based on the linear electro-optical effect in a specific crystal, we achieved long term CEP stabilization of a 20 W, 1 kHz laser with residual noise as low as 440 mrad (rms). At 3 W, the CEP shot to shot noise is kept as low as 320 mrad (rms) over half an hour.

Abstract: The injection of a seed in a free-electron laser (FEL) amplifier reduces the saturation length and improves the longitudinal coherence. A cascaded FEL, operating in the high-gain harmonic-generation regime, allows us to extend the beneficial effects of the seed to shorter wavelengths. We report on the first operation of a high-gain harmonic-generation free-electron laser, seeded with harmonics generated in gas. The third harmonics of a Ti:sapphire laser, generated in a gas cell, has been amplified and up-converted to its second harmonic (?rad=133??nm) in a FEL cascaded configuration based on a variable number of modulators and radiators. We studied the transition between coherent harmonic generation and superradiant regime, optimizing the laser performances with respect to the number of modulators and radiators.

Abstract: Optical parametric amplification (OPA) with multiple pumps is a promising technique for beam combining and amplification of an ultrabroadband femtosecond signal. In this context, the noncollinearity between the pumps and signal beams is required in order to transfer the phase incoherence between the different pumps to the corresponding idlers. Angular tolerances of phase matching in this configuration are critical parameters with regards to the efficiency and stability of the amplified signal, which requires judicious choices for the beams shaping. In this paper, the authors proposed an original approach enabling to calculate tolerances with respect to wavefront distortions, beam divergence and pointing instability. A general numerical code was developed and validated taking into account any noncollinear phase matching directions in or out of the principal planes of uniaxial and biaxial crystals.

Abstract: Tunable polarization over a wide spectral range is a required feature of light sources employed to investigate the properties of local symmetry in matter. In this Letter, we provide the first experimental characterization of the polarization of the harmonic light produced by a free-electron laser and demonstrate a method to obtain free-electron laser harmonics with tunable polarization. Experimental results are successfully compared with theory. Our findings can be expected to have a deep impact on the design and realization of experiments requiring full control of light polarization.

Abstract: Interferometric determination of thermal expansion and of normalized thermo-optic coefficients of RbTiOPO 4 at four laser wavelengths are performed as a function of temperature. A suitable vectorial formalism applied to obtained data allows the establishment of the temperature dependence of refractive indices, and subsequent theoretical analysis enables one to predict that an extremum in the evolution of the phase-matching direction in the (X,Y) plane should occur near 100?°C for type II second harmonic generation of Nd:YAG lasers, with a temperature bandwidth that can be as large as 117?°C for a crystal of 10?mm in length. Such unusual behavior is observed experimentally by recording the conversion efficiency from 20?°C up to 220?°C for various propagation angles of light in the (X,Y) plane. Slight quadratic temperature dependence of the effective nonlinear coefficient is also observed.

Abstract: We have laser conditioned a couple of KDP-SHG and DKDP-THG samples thanks to a facility which delivers 6 ns fundamental (1,053 nm, noted 1 omega) pulses, and the harmonics generated by the crystals themselves. The conditioning ramp has been established according to a model coupling statistics and heat transfer, in order to minimize the generation of bulk laser damage during the process. Then the efficiency of this procedure has been evaluated for both samples using two laser damage testing setups, and compared to the best monochromatic conditioning process known to date. For the KDP-SHG, it appears that this procedure is less efficient than the monochromatic conditioning. But it raises the resistance to laser damage of the SHG to a level compatible with the use on megajoule-class high power lasers. For the DKDP-THG, the efficiency of both procedures is quite similar. And even if the conditioned THG still exhibits laser damage within the range of high power laser working fluences at 351 nm, the density is only a few per mm(3).

Abstract: Very-high average power frequency conversion is a key issue regarding laser driven inertial confinement fusion reactors. The merits of common non-linear crystals are discussed. The potential of lithium triborate is demonstrated by frequency doubling 235 J of infrared radiation at 1053 nm with 92% conversion efficiency. We also report on third harmonic generation of 360 J of ultraviolet at 351 nm with 80% efficiency.

Abstract: The NO2 ion pair photodissociation dynamics leading to NO+(X1S+,v) + O-(2P3/2 or 2P1/2), induced by a 1 kHz femtosecond laser with wavelengths near 400 nm, has been characterized using the coincidence vector correlation method. The ion pair production after four-photon absorption reaches more than 15% of the primary ionization. The kinetic energy release of the fragments demonstrates a significant vibrational excitation of the NO+(X1S+,v) molecular fragment. Recoil ion fragment emission is strongly aligned along the polarization axis of linearly polarized light or preferentially emitted in the plane perpendicular to the propagation axis of circularly polarized light. The formalism describing the recoil anisotropy for bound-to-bound n-photon transition inducing prompt axial recoil dissociation of a nonlinear molecule has been developed to interpret the measured anisotropies in terms of excitation pathways via near-resonant intermediate states of specific symmetries. Possible reaction pathways are discussed that are consistent with the data and supported by calculations of potential energy surfaces and transition moments.

Abstract: Excess electrons in solvent are amongst the most fascinating chemical species, at the very edge between physics and chemistry. In this contribution, we report the use of silica and alumina photochemistry to create and stabilize aqueous solutions of electron.

Abstract: A new femtosecond pulse characterization, named self-referenced spectral interferometry, is introduced. Based on linear spectral interferometry, the reference pulse is self created from the pulse being characterized. This self reference results from pulse shaping optimization and non-linear temporal filtering.

Abstract: Surface plasmon excitation with ultrashort intense laser pulses enhances efficiently laser absorption in metals and creates local high fields and non-equilibrium hot electrons population that have attractivity for numerous applications such as the development of intense sources of high-energy particles or photons and in the fast ignitor scheme in the framework of inertial fusion. In this context, the knowledge of the dynamics of relaxation of the collective electrons behavior is of importance. Using gold grating, we have investigated electrons relaxation in the presence of laser excited surface plasmon waves using a multiple-wavelengh femtosecond pump-probe technique. The results yield evidence of longer relaxation time in the presence of the collective excitation than that of individual electronic states.

Abstract: Transformation of Bessel beams by biaxial and uniaxial crystals is investigated experimentally and theoretically. Experimental observations show beam symmetry changing and formation of complex intensity patterns, depending on the orientation of the crystal. These patterns can appear as a regular system of peak intensities. Results of numerical calculations support the experimental findings.

Abstract: The study of the interaction between ultrashort laser pulses at relativistic intensities and solid matter has promoted, in recent years, a promising way of investigating ultrafast phenomena and has suggested the possibility of efficiently producing accelerated particle beams. As laser technology has been improving and increasing intensities and energies, it has become clear that the temporal contrast of a laser pulse is a key parameter in defining the conditions of interaction and the involved phenomena. In this paper we present the results that have been obtained in laser ion acceleration experiments from recent past to present days, using the most recent temporal cleaning methods. Different technologies have been adopted to improve the temporal contrast: the obtained effect on the proton acceleration is presented and discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: High-energy electrons can be produced in interactions of intense, ultra-short laser pulses with plasmas. Experiments conducted in the regime of moderate laser power (a few terawatts [TW]) are attracting increasing attention for their possibility of optimizing the acceleration process. Here we report the successful production of several-MeV electron bunches in interactions of femtosecond laser pulses from a 10TW tabletop laser with supersonic gas-jets. The laser-plasma interaction and the obtained electron bunches have been characterized in detail, and conditions for stable and reproducible acceleration have been found. The accelerated electron bunches have been characterized by means of the measurement of the induced photo-activation of a gold sample via bremsstrahlung-generation of photons with suitable energy. The obtained result opens up a wide range of possible applications of the compact electron source for the concerns of nuclear physics studies. Some of them are briefly considered in this paper.

Abstract: In a recent experiment [1] a high efficiency regime of stable electron acceleration to kinetic energies ranging from 10 to 40 MeV has been achieved. The main parameters of the electron bunches are comparable with those of bunches provided by commercial Radio-Frequency based Linacs currently used in Hospitals for Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT). TORT is an emerging technique applied in operating theaters during the surgical treatment of tumors. Performances and structure of a potential laser-driven Hospital accelerator are compared in detail with the ones of several commercial devices. A number of possible advantages of the laser based technique are also discussed.

Abstract: An x-ray crystal spectrometer was built in order to measure opacities in the 8-18 angstrom spectral range with an average spectral resolution of similar to 400. It has been successfully used at the LULI-2000 laser facility (See C. Sauteret, rapport LULI 2001, 88 (2002) at Ecole Polytechnique (France) to measure in the same experimental conditions the 2p-3d transitions of several elements with the neighboring atomic number Z: Fe, Ni, Cu, and Ge [G. Loisel et al., High Energy Density Phys. 5, 173 (2009)]. Hence, a spectrometer with a wide spectral range is needed. This spectrometer features two lines of sight. In this example, one line of sight looks through the sample and the other one is looking directly at the backlighter emission. Both are outfitted with a spherical condensing mirror. A TlAP crystal is used for spectral dispersion. Detection is made with an image plate Fuji BAS TR2025, which is sensitive to x rays. We present some experimental results showing the performances of this spectrometer. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3491285]

Abstract: Using the method of heat field symmetry control [5], large high quality LBO crystals of more than 1.3 kg have been grown. In accordance with the so-called Curie principle, rhombic LBO crystals were grown in the heat field of the same symmetry. Elements of excellent optical homogeneity with diameters up to 50 mm were used for frequency doubling of high energy 1053 nm laser beam. Second-harmonic energies up to 115 J [1] were produced and conversion efficiencies up to 90% were measured. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The chaotic nature of a storage-ring free electron laser (FEL) is investigated. The derivation of a low embedding dimension for the dynamics allows the low-dimensionality of this complex system to be observed, whereas its unpredictability is demonstrated, in some ranges of parameters, by a positive Lyapounov exponent. The route to chaos is then explored by tuning a single control parameter, and a period-doubling cascade is evidenced, as well as intermittence.

Abstract: The paper presents an experimental demonstration of a new phase-only measurement technique called local spectral compression (LSC) on a chirped pulse amplification (CPA) laser system by inserting an acousto-optic programmable dispersive filter (AOPDF) in front of the last three-pass amplifier and a nonlinear BBO crystal at the output. The second harmonic signal is recorded with a spectral detector. Results demonstrate that the LSC method performs adequately for both second and third order measurements. This paper shows the suitability of this method to optimize spectral phase on CPA femtosecond laser system.

Abstract: The temporal coherence of Free-Electron Laser (FEL) sources, which exhibit, in the self-amplified spontaneous-emission mode, spiking spectral and temporal distributions, can be drastically improved by seeding with an external laser or high-order harmonics. Here, experiments at 160?nm put in evidence that the improvement of spectral properties (and thus temporal coherence) of the FEL radiation takes place for a larger seed intensity than the one required to overcome the shot noise.

Abstract: The ultrafast dynamics of two carbene model systems, chlorophenylcarbene (CPC) and trifluoromethylphenylcarbene (TFPC), has been studied in a molecular beam. Velocity map imaging aids optimizing the pyrolysis conditions for a clean generation of reactive intermediates by supersonic jet flash pyrolysis. The dynamics was followed in real time by time-resolved mass spectroscopy and photoion and photoelectron imaging. CPC was excited at 265 nm into the 3 1Aâ€˛ state, corresponding to excitation from a ï€-orbital of the aromatic ring into the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, which contains the p-orbital at the carbene center. The experimental results suggest a three step deactivation process in agreement with computations. TFPC exhibits two absorption bands in the 36000 cmâ